Some of the plants Elston Hill posted photos of in his article are just domestic plants that can be purchased in any nursery. However, the Trillium posted in the article are considered to be Washington native plants and under no circumstances should be harvested for sale, profit or people’s collections-even if there appear to be an abundance this year. Plant thieves look for articles just like this one to key in on places to pirate native plants from.

This article failed to mention that native plants such as Trillium are not to be harvested for sale or casual, garden personal use by anyone who takes a fancy to them.

The Native Plant Society of Washington lists plants that are considered to be sensitive, endangered, species of concern and rare. Trillium are part of that group. The society also listed guidelines that should be followed for native plant collection:

I strongly encourage The B-Town Blog or any local Facebook or blog to inform citizens and readers that these Native Plant Society guidelines are important to be followed. if native plants are to be preserved and protected for future generations. Harvesting or the theft of these plants should be immediately reported to the local government jurisdictions they are taken or picked from and to the State of Washington Department of Natural Resources.

The best motto for the protection of native plant species-especially in urban areas experiencing habitat loss- is, “Let them live in your eyes and not die in your hands.” If you want a Trillum plant in your yard, buy one that has been legally grown from seed and brought to market by a reputable grower.